Team India’s red-ball talents Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel have been sidelined from the upcoming 2025 Duleep Trophy semi-finals due to injury concerns. Sarfaraz was slated to represent West Zone, while Jurel was picked for Central Zone in the knockout fixture beginning Thursday, September 4.
As per a Times of India report, Sarfaraz picked up a quadricep injury during his stellar run at the Buchi Babu Tournament in Chennai. In his absence, Baroda’s Shivalik Sharma—part of the West Zone reserves—has been tipped as his likely replacement.
Shivalik, a left-handed batter, enjoyed a standout 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season, finishing as Baroda’s leading run-getter with 484 runs in seven matches at an average of 44. He was also part of the Mumbai Indians squad in IPL 2024.
“Sarfaraz is suffering from a quadriceps injury, which he picked up while scoring a century against Haryana in the Buchi Babu event five days ago. He’s set to be out for almost three weeks, and is currently rehabilitating at the CoE,” a source confirmed to the Times of India.
Regarding Dhruv Jurel, the wicketkeeper-batter, he missed Central Zone’s opening clash against North East Zonedue to a groin injury and has now been ruled out of the rest of the competition. With his absence, Jurel has also stepped down from captaincy duties, handing over the reins to Rajat Patidar, while Uttar Pradesh’s Upendra Yadav has been drafted in as his replacement.
Jurel was recently in action for Team India during the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England. He initially served as the standby wicketkeeper in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, stepping in after Rishabh Pant fractured his foot, before earning a spot in the playing XI for the series decider at The Oval.
Tilak Varma, Sai Kishore to miss Duleep Trophy knockouts
South Zone have suffered fresh setbacks ahead of their Duleep Trophy semi-final against North Zone. Captain Tilak Varma will miss the clash owing to Asia Cup commitments, while left-arm spinner Sai Kishore has been sidelined with a finger injury.
Meanwhile, North Zone also had to deal with a late change, as skipper Shubman Gill withdrew due to illness. Leadership duties passed on to Ankit Kumar, who responded with a brilliant 198 in the second innings of the drawn match against East Zone.
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